Vibration wave driven motor

Abstract

In a vibration wave driven motor which has a vibration member for forming a travelling vibration wave in a resilient member by an AC voltage being applied to an electro-mechanical conversion element adhesively secured to the resilient member, and a member urged against the vibration member with pressing means interposed therebetween and in which the member and the vibration member are moved relative to each other by the travelling vibration wave formed in the resilient member, there is provided forcibly cooling means for forcing a cooling medium to circulate in the heat generating portion of the motor to thereby cool the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vibration wave driven motor, comprising: a vibration member for generating a travelling vibration wave therein in response to an electrical signal applied thereto;   a rotor provided in contact with the vibration member for receiving the travelling vibration wave;   a cooling medium introduction pipe;   a cooling medium discharge pipe;   a seal member for sealing the vibration member and the rotor, the seal member having a hole formed in a side thereof to mount said cooling medium introduction pipe and to mount said cooling medium discharge pipe;   an output shaft engaged with the rotor to take out the rotation of the rotor;   a bearing mounted on said seal member to rotatably support said output shaft; and   a cover medium for covering at least the introduction pipe and discharge pipe.   
     
     
       2. A motor according to claim 1, wherein said vibration member has a circular ring shape. 
     
     
       3. A motor according to claim 2, wherein a portion of said vibration member of said circular ring shape is arranged in contact with said seal member. 
     
     
       4. A motor according to claim 1, wherein said vibration member has an electro-mechanical energy conversion element to which the electrical signal is supplied, and a resilient member to which the element is adhesively secured. 
     
     
       5. A vibration wave driven motor according to claim 1, wherein said vibration member has a resilient member, an electro-mechanical energy conversion element for generating the traveling vibration wave in the resilient member, and a lead line for applying an electrical energy to the element. 
     
     
       6. A vibration wave driven motor according to claim 5, wherein said cover member covers the introduction pipe, the discharge pipe and the lead line. 
     
     
       7. A vibration wave driven motor according to claim 6, wherein a leading edge of said introduction pipe faces the portion of said vibration member. 
     
     
       8. A vibration wave driven motor according to claim 7, wherein said discharge pipe is provided above said introduction pipe. 
     
     
       9. A vibration driven motor, comprising: a vibration member for generating a vibration therein in response to an electrical signal applied thereto;   a contact member provided in contact with the vibration member for receiving the vibration;   a cooling medium introduction pipe;   a cooling medium discharge pipe;   a seal member for sealing the vibration member and the contact member, the seal member having a hole formed in a side thereof to mount said cooling medium introduction pipe and to mount said cooling medium discharge pipe; and   a cover member for covering at least the introduction pipe and discharge pipe.